Museum of Classical Archaeology Databases

Grave Stele of Aristion

This stele, or marker stone, is carved in low relief and shows the deceased young man in profile. He is named in the inscription at the bottom as Aristion. His armour suggests that he was a heavy-infantryman or hoplite.

Hoplites were the ordinary soldiers in Greek armies. Aristion has all the equipment of the hoplite except the round shield and bronze helmet: protective shin guards, called greaves, on his legs, protective body armour, and a spear, as well as the felt skull-cap to cushion the helmet. Hoplites had to provide all their equipment and armour themselves when they were required to fight for their city-state

Number:

43

Material:

Pentelic marble

Location of Original:

Athens National museum 29

Size:

2.24m

Accession:

Presented by Oscar Browning to the Fitzwilliam in October 1876. Transferred to the Museum in 1884